Army officers under Manas involved: report

[webfact]

Army officers under Manas involved: report
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- SOME ARMY officers under key suspect Lt-General Manas Kongpaen are suspected of involvement in the trafficking of Rohingya and other migrants, according to a special Issara News Agency report.

The officers reportedly are ranked from colonel to captain and face arrest if the ongoing police investigation into their alleged roles in human trafficking finds proof of their involvement, the report said.

It also said certain intelligence agencies had spent secret budgets to deliver illegal Rohingya migrants to other countries with good intention. However, this practice had been exploited by corrupt officials to profit from the trading of humans.

"These people later instituted a systematic trafficking ring that involved those in uniform from various agencies," the report said. A Defence Ministry investigation was ordered two years ago into the acts of four Army officers based in the South after news reports said military vehicles were used to transport Rohingya migrants. The probe finally found nobody at fault, and ruled the incident "a result of misunderstanding".

Meanwhile, deputy Royal Thai Police chief General Aek Angsananont said more suspects would be identified and arrested once there was more evidence available against them.

In a related development, six of 11 Rohingya people who fled from a government facility in Songkhla province have been located and brought back. Extra security has since been provided at this facility in Rattaphum district.

Aerial patrols by police helicopters have been conducted over Khao Kaew and the Sankala Khiri mountain range in Songkhla and Satun to monitor any movement of Rohingya and other migrants, but there were no sightings, police commander Colonel Phahol Ketkaew said.

A Border Patrol Police force has been camping out on Khao Kaew, where eight detention camps were found, to keep a watch for smugglers or migrants.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Army-officers-under-Manas-involved-report-30261890.html


-- The Nation 2015-06-09

[clockman]

Of course others are involved! many hundreds of people.

[Toknarok]

Many commissioned officers and what about the lesser ranks who have to be involved? Do they really think that they are going to get the investigations into this all wrapped by the 19th? Better get a move on - only 10 days to go.

[klauskunkel]

It also said certain intelligence agencies had spent secret budgets to deliver illegal Rohingya migrants to other countries with good intention. However, this practice had been exploited by corrupt officials to profit from the trading of humans.

As I read it, the trafficking started out as a 'humanitarian effort' by "certain intelligence agencies" whose 'altruism' was later turned into corruption by others who took over the established process. The intelligence agencies with the secret funding are of course unnamed, their chain of command is unknown and who authorized their operation is a mystery, however, we do know that their intentions were good, so no need to investigate further.

Hmm, ok...looks like a preemptive piece of news to me, a bit primitive and stupid, but there it is.

...,next...

[NongKhaiKid]

Subordinates involved of course but what about other officers of equal or senior rank or will it be decided the issue stops with Manas ?

[phuketandsee]

"a bit primitive and stupid"

Sums this place up pretty well

[ChrisY1]

"These people later instituted a systematic trafficking ring that involved those in uniform from various agencies,"

So there yet may be a link to naval personel which would be a further huge embarrassment for Thailand' defence forces.

Rueters may actually have reported the truth.......

[Artisi]

"These people later instituted a systematic trafficking ring that involved those in uniform from various agencies,"

So there yet may be a link to naval personel which would be a further huge embarrassment for Thailand' defence forces.

Rueters may actually have reported the truth.......

You can’t handle the truth!” – "Jack Nicholson"

Would seem to be applicable here.

[TheAppletons]

"These people later instituted a systematic trafficking ring that involved those in uniform from various agencies,"

So there yet may be a link to naval personel which would be a further huge embarrassment for Thailand' defence forces.

Rueters may actually have reported the truth.......

You can’t handle the truth!” – "Jack Nicholson"

Would seem to be applicable here.

Well, yeah. That's why there are laws that prohibit telling the truth, duh.

[Srikcir]

"These people later instituted a systematic trafficking ring that involved those in uniform from various agencies,"

So there yet may be a link to naval personel which would be a further huge embarrassment for Thailand' defence forces.

Rueters may actually have reported the truth.......

Four months ago there was a news report:

Thai officials prosecuted for human trafficking, 2015-01-30

"Songsak Saicheua, a foreign ministry official, said at least 15 police officers were facing prosecution, alongside a Royal Thai Navy officer, two local administration officials and a social worker.”

The identity of the naval officer has yet to be revealed nor has there been any apparent conviction.

[Nobb]

Move him to another district!

[ChrisY1]

"These people later instituted a systematic trafficking ring that involved those in uniform from various agencies,"

So there yet may be a link to naval personel which would be a further huge embarrassment for Thailand' defence forces.

Rueters may actually have reported the truth.......

Four months ago there was a news report:

Thai officials prosecuted for human trafficking, 2015-01-30

"Songsak Saicheua, a foreign ministry official, said at least 15 police officers were facing prosecution, alongside a Royal Thai Navy officer, two local administration officials and a social worker.”

The identity of the naval officer has yet to be revealed nor has there been any apparent conviction.

OK thanks.....missed that piece of news.